Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.